Director: Garth Davis
By Alex Watson
While this might be a moving picture of rediscovery, Garth Davis' Lion is a picture that pulls at heart strings a little too deliberately. Strong turns from Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman do give this movie a great soul. Director Davis keeps the story well paced and affecting parallels the difference in Saroo Brierley's two separate upbringings. However, you can't help but feel that this is tailor made Oscar bait from the Weinsteins.
Saroo Brierley (Dev Patel/Sunny Panwar) is a boy growing up in rural India to a loving family. One while accompanying his brother, he gets separated and as a result, he is transported over 1600 miles away to Calcutta. Adopted by loving Australian parents Sue (Nicole Kidman) and John (David Wenham), Saroo grows into a mature and caring young man. Even though he has embraced his new home, he still yearns to find his old one. His obsessive search will lead him to Google Earth and maybe a shot at finding his beloved family.
The notion of true identity is the big issue on display in Lion. Early scenes see Saroo's idyllic life living in Phanawar with his mother and brother Guddu. One day while accompanying his brother for a night job, Saroo falls asleep on a train and in a gut-wrenching sequence finds himself awaken on a speeding train. When he arrives in the large and frightening Calcutta, he finds himself forced to wander the busy streets where threats lurk all around. Davis does well to bring forward the daily threats he faces, even from people appear to be kindly strangers Adopted by Sue and John, finally, he finds some stability, although the presence of his other adopted brother Mantosh brings the family its own set of problems. Having grown into a well loved 30-year-old man, Saroo both thrives and feels guilty over his comfortable life.
His eternal restlessness is something that plagues his conscience throughout. His relationship with fellow student Lucy (Rooney Mara) is continually strained by his devotion. Reflecting on the family he left behind, Saroo becomes aware of Google Earth, the problem is he cannot remember the name of his hometown. Sadly the sequence of his frequent browsing on the internet do limit the action of the film. While we feel the passion and dedication that he pours into finding home, at times it feels like a glorified commercial for Google Earth. After a bright and emotionally raw start, the middle ground loses power and constricts us to Saroo looking emotional and lashing out at people. Davis' seems to over emphasise his conflict that he feels with living this happy life and far too much of the picture becomes occupied with him finding himself.
Lion is a picture that visually is a stunning ride and flipping back and forth between the beautiful images of Australia and India very grabbing. As a first time director, Garth Davis has created a very accomplished picture. In particular, his linking of the love that Saroo feels for both sets of his family. Saroo yearns to be reunited with the family he lost but also feels immense guilt lying to the people who raised him. This is not a perfect picture by any means but at the same point, it is one that makes you think about what family truly means. On an emotional level, this movie doesn't go all out and Davis keeps the tears at bay during a well measured last act. This picture will no doubt be popular come awards season, even if it feels a little forced.
Dev Patel makes for an engaging lead as Saroo Brierley. Still digesting the background he has forgotten along with the life he has become accustomed to, Patel excellently portrays a deep inner conflict. Rooney Mara sadly is stranded in what is a somewhat token role as girlfriend Alice, Stuck with mainly nagging Saroo, Mara is given little to work with. Nicole Kidman gives superb support as mother Sue and gives a touching turn. In one brilliant moment, she gives a speech about a vision she had that would lead to her adopting her son. Kidman's heartfelt approach to her character will likely see her among supporting actress nominees.
While you cannot fault Lion for its great story or its ambitions, this just feels like a movie too engineered for awards.
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